We like to think of Amcrest as the smorgasbord of security brands. As we learned more about Amcrest, we discovered that they’re a massive company that stands out from the pack in two big ways: They don’t focus squarely on cameras, and their products go way beyond the home.
This is definitely a gadget-forward company with lots of selection that goes way beyond visual surveillance. We even discovered some products we’re not used to seeing in home security, which we’ll explore in just a moment.
But first, let’s get started with our hands-on review of Amcrest, where we ran these relatively affordable cams through our signature testing protocols to discover how they work, how they compare with Ring, Arlo, and other big (and little) names, and whether they’re the right choice for you. For this, we snagged ourselves a pair of brand-spankin’ new Amcrest cams: the 4-Megapixel Wi-Fi Bullet Outdoor camera and the ProHD 1080p Pan/Tilt Wi-Fi Indoor camera. Join us!
PROS
- Affordable Cameras
- Full HD Image Resolution
- Infrared Night Vision
- Easy Installation for Wi-Fi Cameras
- Option to Self-Monitor or Buy Cloud Storage
- Smartphone and Email Alerts
- Wireless and Wired Cameras
- NVR and DVR Storage Hubs
- Pan-Tilt Options in Some Cameras
- Many Models Come in Both Black and White
CONS
- Limited Third-Party Compatibility
- Complex Setup Process for Some Models
- Expensive Cloud Storage Plans
- Multiple Apps for Different Cameras
- No Two-Way Talk on Some Models
Unboxing and Installing Amcrest
Selection. That’s our favorite thing about Amcrest, a company headquartered in Houston, Texas.1 There’s literally something for everyone here; and they don’t stop at home security, either. In fact, home security cameras are just a small part of Amcrest’s vast lineup; we found dashcams, baby monitors, video doorbells, GPS trackers, drones, hunting cams, and even binoculars, too in Amcrest’s inventory.
And beyond their virtually never-ending list of products, the cameras themselves come with loads of options and features – so many, in fact, that we found it all to be overwhelming at times.
We kept this in mind as we unboxed our first camera: the 4-megapixel HD Outdoor Bullet camera. First impressions were good; we thought the equipment looked solid and well designed, and the fact that it comes with both plug-in and Ethernet (PoE) ports is a nice plus, too. It’s also got an IP67 weather rating2, which means we wouldn’t have to worry about keeping our camera out in the elements. (And, living in Ohio, we know “the elements” are coming.)
Since we’d installed bullet-style cameras like these before – the best outdoor cameras in the industry are mostly designed this way – we had no problem screwing in the base to the wall with our handy drill.
Not a bad look, right? We liked how our white outdoor cam blends in with our slightly worn (and slightly less white) porch trim. Also, since it’s got a wide-angle lens3 (Amcrest actually calls it a super wide angle lens, though we’re not quite sure what’s so super about it), we didn’t have much trouble finding an angle that would effectively cover our porch.
It all came together pretty easily, which made us happy, but we also knew our work wasn’t over yet; we had another camera to install.
Unboxing our other Amcrest, the 1080p Wi-Fi Pan-Tilt camera, we transitioned from bullet style to dome, and from outside to inside. Inside the box, we found a sleek, round, and modern-looking camera, with a matte black finish that earned two thumbs up from our 11-year-old in the room (“It’s like a really cool 8-ball!”).
And, it made a nice first impression on us grownups when we realized how much we liked the way it looked in our home. Simple, pleasant, stylish, but with a solid construction that told us we’d have this camera for a pretty long time.
